India Photonics Market Set to Grow Fourfold to $10 Billion by 2031
Key Updates:
- India's domestic photonics market, currently around USD 2.5 billion, is projected to grow fourfold to USD 10 billion by 2031, driven by demand from data centres and electronics devices requiring high data speeds.
- The newly formed India Photonics Association (IPA) has 65 members, including SFO Technologies, GX Quantum Photonics, Lightspeed Photonics and Tejas Networks; its Secretary General is Ashwini Aggarwal.
- GX Group has earmarked Rs 500 crore for an advanced photonics facility in India, with manufacturing operations to commence from December 2026 and government approval received for phase 1 to make Optical Transceiver SFP.
- Data centres in India currently use photonics connectors supporting 10-40 Gbps, with demand expected to rise for 100-400 Gbps connectors due to AI data centres.
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The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) notified Semicon 2.0, a ₹1.27 lakh crore scheme to expand India's semiconductor ecosystem. The scheme extends support to chip-design startups, MSMEs…
India's peak power demand is projected to reach 300 gigawatts (GW) next year, driven by the rapid expansion of data centres, artificial intelligence (AI), and electric vehicles (EVs). According to the Ministry of Power…
TeamLease Digital reports that India is the world's largest retail Global Capability Centre (GCC) hub with 180 centres employing approximately 2.72 lakh professionals. India's retail GCC hub is 34% larger than the…
FOMO Pay and NPCI International Launch UPI QR Payment Acceptance in Singapore with Resorts World Sentosa
Key Updates:
- FOMO Pay and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) announced a strategic partnership at Global Fintech Fest 2026 on September 9, 2026, to enable UPI QR code acceptance for merchants in Singapore.
- Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) joined as one of the first merchant partners, allowing Indian visitors to book and pay online using UPI apps on the RWS website.
- Indian tourists pay in Indian Rupee (INR) through their local apps, while Singapore merchants receive settlement in Singapore Dollars (SGD).
- UPI processes over 24 billion monthly transactions with more than 550 million active users, making it India's dominant real-time payment system.
- Singapore welcomed a record 1.2 million Indian visitors in 2025, making India its fifth-largest tourist source market.
- NIPL, incorporated on April 3, 2020, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) responsible for deploying UPI and RuPay outside India.
- FOMO Pay, founded in 2015, is a Singapore-headquartered payment institution licensed in Singapore, Hong Kong and the Middle East.
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PayGlocal has launched Google Pay Card Payments on its International Payment Gateway, becoming one of the first Indian payment platforms to enable Google Pay for international transactions. Indian merchants can now reach…
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced The Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Parliament. The bill proposes changes to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 to allow banks and payment system…
NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) and Uzbekistan's National Interbank Processing Centre (NIPC) have entered a commercial partnership to enable UPI payments across Uzbekistan through the UZQR interoperable QR…
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) signed separate partnerships with HSBC India and J.P. Morgan Payments to enable real-time foreign exchange (FX) settlement for international Unified Payments Interface…
JSW Group and Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Sign MoU to Explore Passenger Vehicle Joint Venture
Key Updates:
- JSW Group and Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL) signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 9, 2026, to explore a strategic joint venture for developing, manufacturing and selling passenger vehicles in India and for exports.
- The proposed joint venture would cover internal combustion engine (ICE), electric vehicle (EV), plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrains, with Škoda Auto bringing global engineering, technology and product expertise.
- No definitive agreement, shareholding structure or regulatory clearance has been finalised, as the MoU is exploratory and non-binding.
- In 2025, SAVWIPL recorded about 36% year-on-year growth in domestic volumes, while Škoda doubled its sales in India, its strongest growth across all Škoda markets.
- JSW Group owns 35% of JSW MG Motor India, while China's SAIC Motor owns 49%; JSW is also expanding through JSW Motors with a partnership with Chinese automaker Chery, Jetour EVs planned later this fiscal year, and JSW Green Mobility entering the electric bus market.
- Škoda Auto, which entered India in 2001, holds about 2% of India's passenger vehicle market, compared with about 6% for Kia India, which entered in 2019.
- SAVWIPL plans to cut 12% of its workforce, while Volkswagen Group globally plans to cut as many as 100,000 jobs and close four factories in Germany amid competition from Chinese carmakers.
- Volkswagen Group faces a $1.4 billion customs tax demand in India over alleged misclassification of certain Audi, Volkswagen and Škoda vehicle imports, which SAVWIPL is contesting.
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Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation on central counterparties (CCPs). The MoU replaces an earlier pact signed on June…
India has notified the procedure for importers to claim quota-based tariff concessions on vehicle imports from the United Kingdom (UK) under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The Directorate…
JSW Neo Energy, a subsidiary of JSW Energy, signed a shareholders' agreement with Bhutan's Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) to jointly develop the 920 MW Punatsangchhu-III hydroelectric project. The joint venture…
The Singapore Corporate Counsel Association (SCCA) and the General Counsels’ Association of India (GCAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 August 2026. The MoU was signed during the Singapore Convention…
Gadkari Launches OneTag to Let FASTag Users Change Issuer Banks Without Replacing Tag
Key Updates:
- Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari launched OneTag at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, enabling FASTag users to switch issuer banks while retaining the same physical tag, Tag ID and vehicle registration number.
- OneTag was jointly developed by Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
- The portability facility will be offered through NHAI's Rajmargyatra mobile application, requiring eligibility checks, verification, consent and selection of a preferred issuer.
- NPCI will provide the central technology infrastructure and update issuer details within the NETC network, while toll plazas continue processing payments through the existing NETC framework.
- Around 13 crore NETC FASTags have been issued so far, of which approximately 6 crore are active, with FASTag penetration above 98% in India.
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The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) extended the online FASTag Local Pass facility to 121 toll plazas across the country. The FASTag Local Pass is available for commuters residing within a 20-kilometre radius…
WhatsApp launched its bill payments feature in India on Thursday, powered by the Bharat Connect network. The feature enables users to pay electricity, gas, water, Fastag, insurance, credit card, and loan repayment bills.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) introduced the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID under the One Nation, One Student ID initiative, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The APAAR ID…
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a government-backed small savings scheme for girl children. The account can be opened for a girl child below 10 years of age by parents or legal guardians.
IIT-Ropar to Award MTech in Defence Technology to Army Officers via MoA with Army Air Defence College, Gopalpur
Key Updates:
- IIT-Ropar signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Army Air Defence College, Gopalpur, under which it will award MTech degrees in Defence Technology to officers of the Indian Army.
- The agreement was signed by Prof Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT-Ropar, and Lt Gen Amit Rao, Commandant of the Army Air Defence College, Gopalpur.
- The MoA builds on a Memorandum of Understanding for Academic and Research Cooperation signed between Army Training Command, Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army), and IIT-Ropar in December 2022.
- Army officers on the Long Air Defence Course will receive formal accreditation through the MTech programme, with IIT-Ropar faculty nominated as mentors for their dissertations and research projects.
- Officers will get access to IIT-Ropar's laboratories and infrastructure subject to prior approval, along with seminars and lectures by IIT-Ropar faculty in online and offline modes.
- Lt Gen Surinder Singh Mahal, Managing Director of IIT-Ropar Defence Research and Innovation Foundation, and Brigadier Rohit Das were also present on the occasion.
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Hyderabad-based T-Hub partnered with the Indian Army's Central Command to create a direct pathway for defence startups to develop and validate military technologies. Under the partnership, T-Hub will receive problem…
The Indian Army has launched AASHVAST Labs to identify hidden vulnerabilities in military drones, defence electronics, and critical digital systems. AASHVAST stands for Assessment and Analysis of Electronic Systems…
Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a five-year agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd to supply indigenously manufactured 7.62x39 mm ammunition for AK-203 assault rifles being produced in India. The agreement will…
NPCI Unveils UPI Tap & Pay and AI-Powered My UPI at Global Fintech Fest
Key Updates:
- The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched UPI Tap & Pay and My UPI, an AI-powered payments assistant, at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai on September 10, 2026.
- UPI Tap & Pay lets users pay by bringing their phone close to a point-of-sale terminal without opening a UPI app, and works even in low or no network conditions including airplane mode; it is backed by 32 banks, 15 UPI applications, eight acquirers and aggregators, and 18 payment service providers.
- My UPI consolidates payment controls, transaction history, complaint management and safety features across UPI apps, with features including merchant trust check, Pay Again, natural-language complaint filing, mobile number de-linking from UPI IDs, and a safety switch to pause all UPI debits; it is supported by 29 banks, 25 UPI applications, and 14 technology service providers.
- UPI currently processes 24 billion transactions a month, with 49 billion total transactions completed, and $700 billion has been transacted via biometrics.
- The launches were made in the presence of the Reserve Bank of India Governor.
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The Qatar-India postal remittance service powered by UPI was operationalised in Doha on August 15, 2026, coinciding with India's Independence Day. The service enables Indian residents in Qatar to send funds directly to…
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) processed a record 24.51 billion UPI transactions in August 2026. The total value of UPI transactions in August 2026 stood at Rs 29.82 lakh crore, up 20% year-on-year.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched on August 25, 2016, completing a decade of operations in 2026. UPI was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the regulatory oversight of…
OmniCard (Eroute Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) is an RBI-licensed Prepaid Payment Instrument issuer. The Flexi Benefits Basket on UPI allows employees to allocate benefits across meal, fuel, telecom, books & periodicals…
India Amends E-Commerce Rules to Regulate Discounts, Dark Patterns and Data Use
Key Updates:
- The government has amended the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 through the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which will come into force from January 1, 2027.
- When announcing a price reduction, e-commerce platforms must display both the reduced price and the 'prior price', defined as the lowest price at which the goods or services were offered in the 30 days before the discount was announced.
- E-commerce entities cannot manipulate search results in a misleading way, and paid or sponsored listings must be identified through clear and prominent disclosures.
- Platforms must comply with the 2023 guidelines on prevention and regulation of dark patterns, conduct a self-audit every year, and prominently display a certificate of compliance.
- Every e-commerce entity must provide complainants a copy of the complaint as recorded by its grievance officer and become a partner in the convergence process of the National Consumer Helpline (NCH).
- The National Consumer Helpline received 17,71,622 grievances in 2025, of which 5,11,196, about 29 per cent, related to the e-commerce sector.
- Marketplace platforms must disclose key information such as best before/use before dates, return and refund terms, warranty, delivery and payment details, and imported goods must carry details of the importer and country of origin.
- Marketplace e-commerce entities cannot use consumer information for specified purposes without express and affirmative consent, and cannot collect bundled fees for services unrelated to the platform except under specified provisions for loyalty or membership programmes.
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The central government tightened sugar stock limits for bulk consumers using more than 10 metric tonnes of sugar per month. Bulk consumers are allowed to hold only 15 days' stock from September 1, 2026, until November…
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now allows immediate denial of incomplete visa and green card applications without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).…
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has amended the FDI policy to allow inventory-based e-commerce exclusively for exports of goods manufactured or produced in India. The existing ban on…
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting removed the 12-minute advertisement duration cap for television channels. The decision will take effect from the date of notification of the amendment in the Cable Television…
Cabinet Clears Eight Railway Multitracking Projects Worth Rs 20,804 Crore Spanning Nine States
Key Updates:
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved eight railway multitracking projects worth Rs 20,804 crore across nine states, covering around 1,196 km and targeted for completion by 2029-30.
- Five projects worth Rs 10,021 crore covering 540 km across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana include Arakkonam–Renigunta third and fourth lines (77 km), Whitefield–Bangarapet third and fourth lines (47 km), Hosur–Omalur doubling (147 km), Salem–Karur–Dindigul doubling (159 km) and Secunderabad (Ghatkesar)–Kazipet multitracking (110 km).
- The remaining three projects, worth Rs 10,783 crore covering 656 km across West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, include Kharagpur–Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) fourth line, Katni–Pendra Road fourth line and Bilaspur (Uslapur)–Pendra Road third line.
- The southern projects will pass through 17 districts, connect 2,121 villages and benefit around 52 lakh people, while the eastern and central projects cover 14 districts, connecting 4,790 villages with around 56 lakh population.
- The projects are expected to add around 74 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of combined freight capacity and support movement of coal, cement, iron and steel, containers, automobiles, foodgrains, petroleum products and fertilisers.
- To be implemented under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects are expected to reduce oil imports by around 20 crore litres and cut carbon dioxide emissions by around 104 crore kg, equivalent to the carbon absorption of around 4.48 crore trees.
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The Government approved 31 additional applications under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), with proposed investments of ₹7,877 crore. The approved projects will manufacture printed circuit boards…
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) approved 31 more applications under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with a total investment of ₹7,877 crore. These approvals are…
The Union Cabinet approved four railway multi-tracking projects and one highway project with a total outlay of around Rs 13,041 crore. The railway projects are located across West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil…
Under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP), the government approved 111 road projects to connect 134 unconnected villages along the India-China border. The approved road projects have a total cost of ₹2,481.93 crore.
Coal Ministry Unveils India's First Sector-Wide CSR Framework for Coal Companies
Key Updates:
- Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy launched the first sector-wide CSR framework for India's coal companies since statutory CSR under the Companies Act, 2013, prepared by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.
- The framework aims to guide coal companies towards outcome-oriented CSR programmes for communities in and around mining areas.
- Under the Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana, Coal India provides up to ₹10 lakh per patient for bone marrow transplants, with an allocation of ₹130 crore across four phases, 21 empanelled hospitals, and over 1,050 transplants completed.
- Nanha Sa Dil, launched by Coal India in four Jharkhand districts in March 2024, targets congenital heart defects affecting an estimated 2.4 lakh newborns annually; over 2 lakh children screened and over 1,500 free corrective surgeries performed.
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Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has proposed a ₹2.73 lakh crore investment over 30 years for India's first integrated Underground Coal Gasification complex in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh. The complex will be…
The Ministry of Mines has notified rules to allow trading of major minerals on an exchange, expected to become functional by the next financial year. The Indian Bureau of Mines has been appointed as the nodal agency and…
The Ministry of Coal released the Annual Report on Mine Closure (AAROH) on July 22, 2026. The Ministry of Coal signed an Implementation Agreement with Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for…
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) data as of August 25 showed 45 coal power plants with critically low coal inventories. The critical category includes plants with coal stocks below 25% of required inventory or less…
MC²⁺ Foundation, IIT Bombay and SINE Sign MoU to Support Energy Startups with ONGC Collaboration
Key Updates:
- MC²⁺ Foundation, IIT Bombay and the Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay, signed a tripartite MoU on September 8, 2026, in Mumbai to give energy-sector startups access to research facilities, funding, mentors and pilot opportunities.
- The MoU was signed during the Mumbai City Connect of the MC²⁺ Ignite energy innovation accelerator, hosted by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) at IIT Bombay.
- ONGC will work with IIT Bombay and SINE across seven energy innovation areas, including AI-driven subsurface intelligence, drilling technologies, hydrogen and mobility, bioenergy, refinery technologies and digital asset management.
- The MC²⁺ Ignite accelerator plans to support up to 30 early-stage startups, offering up to Rs 50 lakh in convertible funding plus Rs 1.5 crore linked to milestones, a potential Rs 2 crore per startup.
- MC²⁺ Ignite was formally launched at IIT Madras on August 19 by Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary Neeraj Mittal.
- Applications for the inaugural cohort remain open until September 15.
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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the GENESIS Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) Cohort-3 at the GENESIS NextGen Startup Summit in Coimbatore on 4 August 2026. The programme provides…
Tata Power and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) signed a Master Research Agreement (MRA) to accelerate the commercialisation of next-generation clean energy technologies. The collaboration will…
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) approved the first batch of ₹22 crore support for nine startups under the ₹100 crore startup support programme of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). The MNRE…
MC²+ Ignite, an accelerator programme by the energy innovation platform MC²+, has been launched to support energy deep-tech startups. The inaugural cohort will include approximately 30 startups, each eligible for up to…
Bihar Signs MoU with AIM Global Foundation for UAE-Backed Food Processing Park in Dubai
Key Updates:
- Bihar's Industries Department signed an MoU with AIM Global Foundation at the AIM Congress 2026 in Dubai to promote a dedicated Food Processing Park in Bihar, anchored by UAE and wider Gulf investments.
- The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Bihar Industries Minister Shreyasi Singh and signed by Industries Department Secretary Kundan Kumar and AIM Global Foundation President HE Dawood Al-Shezawi.
- Under the MoU, the partners will build an integrated agri-food and food processing cluster, positioning Bihar as a sourcing and processing base for Gulf food supply chains.
- The partnership is being taken forward ahead of Rising Bihar 2026, under Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary's push for industrial growth.
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Odisha received investment proposals worth ₹43,437 crore at the Odisha Food Pro 2026 roadshow in New Delhi. The proposals have the potential to generate over 43,000 jobs.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) organised the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME) Conclave 2026 on August 24-25, 2026 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.…
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced the establishment of a Coconut Park in the state with support from the Coconut Development Board. The Coconut Park is intended to produce high-quality processed coconut…
The Government of Bihar laid the foundation stone for a 20 metric tonne per day (MTPD) curd and lassi processing plant in Nalanda. The plant is part of the Biharsharif Dairy Project under COMFED's Sudha brand.
India's INS Mysore Arrives in Malaysia for 4th Edition of Samudra Laksamana Naval Exercise
Key Updates:
- INS Mysore arrived at Lumut, Malaysia, on 09 September 2026 to participate in the 4th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise 'Samudra Laksamana' between the Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy.
- Exercise Samudra Laksamana includes professional engagements in harbour and at sea, such as cross-deck visits, operational interactions and sporting engagements, aimed at enhancing interoperability between the navies.
- The visit builds on the 12th India–Malaysia Sub Committee Meeting held on 01 July 2026 and is aligned with India's MAHASAGAR vision and the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an allocation of ₹85,000 crore for the Samudra Manthan initiative to accelerate offshore exploration. The Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme was approved on 31…
The Union Cabinet approved the 'Samudra Manthan' National Offshore Exploration Scheme with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore. The scheme will be implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas until FY 2030-31.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) commenced bilateral Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 at Subang Air Base in Malaysia. Air warriors from both nations are engaged in joint field training and…
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nipun, its second indigenous Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. INS Nipun was commissioned in the presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna…
United States Navy Chooses L3Harris VAMPIRE Counter-Drone System for Littoral Defence
Key Updates:
- L3Harris Technologies has been selected by the United States Navy to deliver its VAMPIRE (Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment) counter-unmanned systems for littoral defence against drone threats.
- The VAMPIRE system is a self-contained weapons solution providing advanced reconnaissance and precision strike against drones and remotely piloted platforms.
- L3Harris is also delivering VAMPIRE systems to the United States Army and earlier this year unveiled Wraith Shield software, a radio-as-a-sensor capability that can be combined with VAMPIRE and Drone Guardian systems for layered defence against unmanned threats.
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Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered 'Mangrol', the third of eight indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), to the Indian Navy on August 21, 2026. The vessel is designed for coastal…
The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 1,943-crore contract with American defence major General Atomics to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for the…
On August 25, 2026, a mission-deployed unit of the Indian Navy monitored the safe transit of merchant vessels MV Union Mariner and MV Dagher through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a strategically…
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on September 7, 2026, approved Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for defence acquisition proposals worth around Rs 1.10 lakh crore. The…
ESTIC 2026 Summit Scheduled at Bharat Mandapam from October 27 to 29
Key Updates:
- ESTIC 2026 (Emerging Technology, Science, Innovation & Collaboration Summit) will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from October 27 to 29, 2026.
- The three-day summit will feature discussions on artificial intelligence, quantum technology, space science, biotechnology, deep tech, the blue economy, semiconductors, cybersecurity and sustainable development.
- Principal Scientific Adviser Professor Ajay Kumar Sood said three Nobel laureates will participate, with more than 3,000 delegates expected to attend.
- Participation has been proposed from more than 19 Central ministries, scientific institutions, industry organisations and international representatives.
- Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said India is achieving new milestones under the Deep Ocean Mission, enabling rapid progress in the blue economy.
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The second edition of the Bharat International Rice Conference (BIRC) 2026 will be held from 23 to 25 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF), representing over 8,000…
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12-13, 2026. The summit will bring together leaders of BRICS member countries, partner countries, and outreach invitees.
The 10th India International Footwear Fair (IIFF) 2026 was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from August 6 to 8, 2026. The three-day business-to-business (B2B) event was organized by the India Trade Promotion…
PhonePe and Visa Roll Out Tap to Pay, Tokenisation and Cross-Border Payments at Global Fintech Fest 2026
Key Updates:
- PhonePe and Visa jointly launched three payment solutions—Tap to Pay, Cross Border Scan to Pay, and Smart Accept—at Global Fintech Fest 2026, making PhonePe the first app in India to enable Visa's Online Device Tokenization, Tap to Pay, and Cross Border Scan to Pay.
- Tap to Pay lets Android users tokenize Visa cards for contactless payments at POS machines even in low-connectivity areas, rolling out in phases from September 9, 2026.
- Cross Border Scan to Pay allows users to scan Visa-supported QR codes in 14 international markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, China, and South Korea.
- Smart Accept enables micro-merchants to accept card payments directly on smartphones without a separate POS machine, bringing card-present device ownership cost to zero.
- This builds on Visa Device Tokenization launched on PhonePe in February 2025.
- As of July 2026, PhonePe has over 71.5 crore life-till-date registered users and a payments acceptance network across over 5 crore merchants.
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SBI Card and Google Pay have launched a co-branded credit card named Google Pay Flex SBI Card. The card is available on both RuPay and Visa payment networks, with the RuPay variant supporting UPI linkage.
PhonePe has launched UPI 123Pay, an SMS-based UPI payment service for feature phones without internet connectivity. The service targets over 200 million feature phone users in India, making PhonePe the first major…
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is developing an offline 'tap and pay' feature for the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. Users must first load money into…
PhonePe and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) signed an MoU to integrate PulsePro into the PM GatiShakti framework. PulsePro is an enterprise data intelligence platform that transforms…
NIT Rourkela Partners with NRSC-ISRO and Tea Board India on CHAYANKAN AI Tea Plantation Project
Key Updates:
- National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) signed a tripartite MoU with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Tea Board India for the project 'CHAYANKAN'—Comprehensive AI-based Geospatial Data Analytics for Tea Plantation Monitoring.
- The MoU was signed on August 27 at RRSC-East, NRSC, Kolkata.
- The three-year project commenced in April 2026 and aims to develop geospatial and AI-based solutions for tea plantation mapping, yield estimation, and pest and disease forecasting.
- The project will integrate multi-source remote sensing data from satellites and UAV platforms with ground-based observations, using machine learning techniques for data-driven governance.
- The MoU was signed by Dr Sushil Kumar Srivastav (NRSC), Dr Amrita Chakraborty (Tea Board India), and Prof Saurav Chatterjee, Dean (SRICCE), NIT Rourkela, who signed virtually.
- Dr Arati Paul of RRSC-East, NRSC, is the Principal Investigator, with Co-PIs Dr Anima Biswal and J. Nalini of NRSC and Dr Anup Nandy of NIT Rourkela.
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On August 28, 2026, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) signed an MoU to facilitate demand aggregation and deploy smart domestic PNG meters across the city…
Indian Railways has launched a pilot project using automated AI-camera stain detection technology in laundries to assess the quality of washed linen. The pilot is being conducted in Pune Division under Central Railway…
Assam has become the first state in India to commercially produce Matcha tea. Commercial production commenced at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate located in the Tinsukia district of eastern Assam.
Manohari Gold Tea is produced from carefully handpicked tender tea buds rather than fully grown leaves. The tea is known for its distinctive golden appearance, refined flavour and delicate aroma.
Qualcomm Teams Up with Amazon to Build Custom AI Chips for AWS Data Centres
Key Updates:
- Qualcomm and Amazon will jointly develop multiple generations of customised chips for Amazon Web Services' (AWS) AI data centre infrastructure, focusing on chips used for AI inference.
- The partnership also covers high-speed optical connectivity solutions extending up to 1.6T for Amazon's data centre networks, using Qualcomm's SerDes and optical digital signal processing technologies.
- Qualcomm plans to increase its use of AWS' AI infrastructure, including Amazon Bedrock, for electronic design automation workloads to reduce chip design cycle time.
- The announcement expands Qualcomm's push beyond its traditional mobile-chip business into large-scale AI computing infrastructure; financial terms and chip rollout timelines were not disclosed.
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The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched a nationwide cloud and AI skilling initiative in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and…
Amazon announced an additional $13 billion investment to expand artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure in India by 2030. The total planned investment for 2026-2030 is $48 billion, bringing the cumulative…
IBM partnered with Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) Bengaluru and CHRIST (Deemed to be University) to establish AI-focused centres in India. The IBM–MIT AI Lab at MIT Bengaluru houses a High-Performance Computing…
DeepSeek is developing its own AI inference chip to reduce reliance on Nvidia and Huawei. The chip is designed for AI inference, which is the stage where a trained AI model answers user questions, rather than for…
India's Samtel Avionics and Japan's BULL Co. Sign MoU on Space Debris Mitigation
Key Updates:
- Samtel Avionics Ltd. (India) and BULL Co., Ltd. (Japan) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore space debris mitigation solutions.
- The collaboration combines BULL's proprietary passive Post-Mission Disposal (PMD) technologies with Samtel Avionics' Active Space Debris Removal Vehicle (DRV) spacecraft technology.
- Under the MoU, the parties will explore technical requirements, system interfaces, customization and integration pathways, development milestones, and future implementation opportunities.
- Subject to the exploratory phase's outcome, Samtel and BULL may consider future cooperation in product development, manufacturing, licensing, supply, and commercialization.
- The parties may coordinate on opportunities involving post-launch attachment of BULL's passive PMD device to space debris already in orbit using Samtel's debris removal vehicles, subject to mutual written agreement and regulatory requirements.
- Puneet Kaura is the Managing Director & CEO of Samtel Avionics Ltd.
- Yasuhito Uto is the CEO & Founder of BULL Co., Ltd.
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French aerospace and defence company Safran Electronics & Defense and Indian Earth intelligence firm SatSure signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) solutions for the…
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working on debris prevention, improved monitoring, and technologies for active debris removal. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha that large satellite…
India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation on August 20, 2026, in New Delhi. The pact aims to strengthen coordination between the Indian Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense…
Akasa Air and BPCL Fly Commercial Flight Using 1 Percent SAF Blend
Key Updates:
- Akasa Air and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) operated a commercial flight using jet fuel blended with 1 percent Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), flying from Mumbai to Goa on September 8, 2026, departing at 13:05 IST and landing at 14:30 IST.
- BPCL supplied the SAF blend directly at the airport, and the flight tested engines, refuelling systems and delivery chains during a normal passenger flight.
- Akasa Air operates an all-Boeing 737 MAX fleet, which uses 20 percent less fuel and produces fewer emissions than older models.
- The flight implements an agreement Akasa Air and BPCL signed in July 2026 to bring green fuel to more domestic routes.
- India's government rules will require airlines to blend 1 percent SAF in international flights starting in 2027, with a target of 5 percent by 2030.
- AirAsia India (now AIX Connect) was the first Indian airline to fly on a 1 percent SAF blend in May 2023 from Pune to Delhi, while SpiceJet flew a test flight in 2018 using a 25 percent biofuel blend made from jatropha seeds.
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Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Akasa Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 14, 2026, to promote Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) adoption in India. The partnership will develop a…
Nirbhay Choudhary Sets New National Record in Men's Hammer Throw
Key Updates:
- Nirbhay Choudhary broke the men's hammer throw national record with a 71.02m throw at the Indian Athletics Final Series 2026 in New Delhi, surpassing Neeraj Kumar's 70.73m mark set in 2016.
- Tanya Chaudhary set a women's hammer throw national record of 68.35m, bettering Anushka Yadav's previous mark of 67.02m; Anushka finished second with 66.34m and Kulvinder Kaur third with 59.13m.
- Damneet Singh (68.12m) and Ashish Jakhar (67.51m) finished second and third in the men's hammer throw.
- Avinash Sable won the men's 3000m steeplechase in 8:32.39, his first race in the event in 2026 after an injury layoff; his national record is 8:09.91 from the Paris Olympics 2024.
- Parul Chaudhary won the women's 3000m steeplechase in 9:22.49; her Indian record stands at 9:12.46.
- Animesh Kujur completed a sprint double, winning the men's 100m in 10.21s and the 200m in 20.59s, finishing ahead of national record holder Gurindervir Singh (10.32s).
- Rohit Yadav won the men's javelin throw with 81.10m, while reigning Asian Games champion Annu Rani won the women's javelin with 57.50m.
- Harita Bhadra won the women's 100m in 11.22s, making her the second-fastest Indian woman behind Dutee Chand's national record of 11.17s set in 2021.
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor won the men's shot put with a best effort of 20.64m.
- Ancy Sojan won the women's long jump with 6.76m, leading a one-two finish ahead of Shaili Singh (6.65m).
- The meeting served as preparation for India's athletes ahead of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
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Three Indian skydivers were among 65 participants who set a Guinness World Record for the most skydivers jumping together with national flags from a single aircraft. The record-breaking jump took place in Libya on August…
Rohit Sharma scored 138 runs off 110 balls in the third ODI against England on July 19, 2026. He became the oldest Indian to score an ODI century at 39 years and 80 days, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) had designated August 7 as National Javelin Day to celebrate Neeraj Chopra's historic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in men's javelin throw…
Basant Kumar Meghwal won the silver medal in the men's high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene. He cleared a personal best of 2.21m to secure the silver medal.
Thirukkural: The Ancient Tamil Text PM Modi Presented to Vladimir Putin
Key Updates:
- Thirukkural, also known as Kural, is a classical Tamil text written in Old Tamil and traditionally attributed to the poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar.
- The work consists of 1,330 couplets called kurals, arranged into 133 chapters with 10 couplets in each chapter.
- The 133 chapters are divided into three sections: Aram (virtue), Porul (worldly affairs, the largest section), and Inbam (love and relationships).
- The text is estimated to be around 2,000 to 2,500 years old, with scholarly dating ranging from about 300 BCE to the fifth century CE.
- During their meeting in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the 2026 edition translated by Naira Mkrtchyan.
- The gifted edition contains the Tamil original, its transliteration, and a Russian translation of the verses.
- The Central Institute of Classical Tamil describes the Thirukkural as a work covering different aspects of human life that remains relevant across generations, avoiding limitations of time, language, race, caste and creed.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said oil has begun flowing through a newly commissioned main pipeline within the Vostok Oil project, developed by Rosneft in Russia's Krasnoyarsk region. The pipeline transports crude to…
National Forest Martyrs Day on September 11: History of the 1730 Khejarli Sacrifice and Amrita Devi Bishnoi
Key Updates:
- National Forest Martyrs Day is observed in India every year on September 11 to honour forest personnel who lost their lives protecting forests, wildlife and natural heritage.
- The date marks the anniversary of the Khejarli sacrifice of 1730 in present-day Rajasthan, when soldiers of the Jodhpur kingdom came to Khejarli village to cut Khejri trees and members of the Bishnoi community, led by Amrita Devi, opposed the felling.
- According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, more than 360 people (specifically 363) were killed during the protest.
- The Ministry of Environment and Forests instituted the Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award to honour individuals and institutions making significant contributions to wildlife protection.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has referred to the Bishnoi community's resistance under Amrita Devi as an early example of women-led climate and environmental action in India.
- In 2025, National Forest Martyrs Day was observed at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, where officials, scientists, trainees and forest service personnel paid floral tributes.
- The legacy of Amrita Devi is also being preserved through the development of the Amrita Devi Eco Park in Gudamalani, Rajasthan, commemorating the 363 martyrs.
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The 16th National Meet of State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) was inaugurated in Chandigarh on 6 September 2026. The two-day event, organised by the National Biodiversity…
The Battle of Alaboi was fought on August 5, 1669, near present-day Guwahati. In the battle, 10,000 Ahom warriors sacrificed their lives against Mughal forces.
The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department signed a five-year MoU with the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (ISB-BIPP) to unlock the state's estimated ₹22,600 crore forest and pastoral economy…
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated a national-level workshop on vulture conservation in Panchkula, Haryana, on International Vulture Awareness Day 2026. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the…
Digvijay Diwas 2026: September 11 Date, History and Significance of Swami Vivekananda's Chicago Speech
Key Updates:
- Digvijay Diwas is observed annually on September 11; in 2026 it falls on Friday, September 11, 2026.
- The day commemorates Swami Vivekananda's historic speech at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago, United States, delivered on September 11, 1893.
- The word 'Digvijay' broadly refers to a victorious achievement or triumph, reflecting the impact of Vivekananda's presentation of India's spiritual heritage to an international audience.
- The Government of India has designated September 11 as Digvijay Diwas in recognition of the significance of the Chicago address.
- Vivekananda's Chicago speech emphasized religious harmony, tolerance, acceptance and universal brotherhood.
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Raksha Bandhan is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shraavan. In 2026, Raksha Bandhan falls on Friday, August 28.
International Day to Protect Education from Attack Observed on 9 September 2026
Key Updates:
- International Day to Protect Education from Attack is observed annually on 9 September, falling on a Wednesday in 2026.
- The day was established by UN General Assembly Resolution 74/275 in 2020, at the urging of Qatar and its Education Above All Foundation, and coincided with the fifth anniversary of the Safe Schools Declaration led by Norway and Argentina.
- All member states present backed Resolution 74/275 unanimously when it was adopted.
- The UN Security Council followed with Resolution 2601 in 2021, condemning attacks on schools and calling on parties to armed conflict to spare education.
- Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chair of Education Above All, pushed the issue for years before the resolution passed.
- The Education Cannot Wait Fund, created in 2016, routes emergency money toward classrooms in active crises.
- UNESCO and UNICEF co-facilitate the day each year.
- The first observance was paired with the UniteToProtect campaign run by Education Above All with UNICEF and UNESCO.
- The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack has published its Education under Attack report series since 2007.
- The Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack has tracked thousands of incidents affecting tens of thousands of students and staff across dozens of countries.
- Afghanistan, Chad, Ethiopia, Syria, Yemen, and parts of the Sahel appear repeatedly in reports on attacks on education.
- Nigeria announced plans to host the Fourth International Conference on Safe Schools in 2021, becoming the first African nation to do so.
- The UN Secretary-General's 2024 report on children and armed conflict recorded a 21 percent jump in grave violations against children compared with the previous year.
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International Vulture Awareness Day falls on the first Saturday of September each year. The Union Environment Minister led the International Vulture Awareness Day 2026 celebrations on 6 September 2026.
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Suman Ray was appointed as Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with effect from September 1, 2026. Prior to this appointment, he served as Regional Director for Maharashtra.
International Literacy Day is observed annually on September 8. The theme for International Literacy Day 2026 is "Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity."
Gujarat Government Sets Aside Rs 301 Crore for Hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games
Key Updates:
- The Gujarat government has allocated Rs 301 crore for preparations to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, including Rs 200 crore towards the host fee, as informed in the state assembly by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who holds the Sports and Youth Services portfolio.
- The allocation includes Rs 100 crore under the revenue head over the last one year, Rs 1 crore as a token provision under the capital head, and Rs 200 crore for the host fee under the Host Collaboration Agreement (HCA), which has been signed and the fee paid.
- A dedicated organisation, 'Amdavad 2030 Commonwealth Games Organisation', was constituted under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 through a government resolution dated August 12, 2026, for planning and management of the Games.
- Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and the state has held consultations with Commonwealth Sport, the Indian Olympic Association and international sports federations.
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India's 503-member contingent for the Asian Games 2026 received a grand send-off in New Delhi in the presence of Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Mandaviya, along with Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President…
Tejaswin Shankar won India's first-ever men's decathlon medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. He secured the bronze medal with a total of 7,976 points.
The Commonwealth Games flag and baton were handed over to Ahmedabad during the closing ceremony of the Glasgow edition on August 3, 2026. Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which marks the centenary year of…
Gujarat has launched India's first state-level Sports Genomics Programme for athlete development. The programme is led by the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) under the state's Department of Science and…
Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Given Additional Charge of Jammu and Kashmir
Key Updates:
- Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, was given additional charge of Jammu and Kashmir on September 8, 2026, during the absence on leave of incumbent Manoj Sinha.
- The appointment was made by the President of India, as stated in a communique issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- Manoj Sinha, who took charge as Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on August 7, 2020, is currently on an official visit to the United States, travelling to Chicago, Illinois.
- Manoj Sinha delivered an address at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) (BHU) Global Alumni Meet, where he spoke on Artificial Intelligence and the impact of the removal of Article 370 on Jammu and Kashmir.
- Born on July 1, 1959, in Mohanpura, Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh, Manoj Sinha holds B.Tech and M.Tech degrees in Civil Engineering from IIT-BHU, Varanasi.
- Manoj Sinha was elected to the Lok Sabha three times (1996, 1999, and 2014) from Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, and served as Minister of State for Railways (2014–2019) and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications (2016–2019).
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The Ladakh Union Territory (UT) administration has approved the creation of 17 new tehsils, increasing the total number of tehsils in the region from 15 to 32. Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena approved the…
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena laid the foundation stone for India’s first high-altitude flower fields at Choglamsar and Stakna in Leh district, Ladakh. The Choglamsar Floriculture Park is being developed over…
The Centre has proposed a new constitutional provision, Article 371(K), for Ladakh, offering an elected Union Territory-level body legislative powers over land, culture, language, forests, environment and natural…
President Droupadi Murmu promulgated a regulation enabling the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to hold sittings in Ladakh. The regulation, titled 'The Union Territory of Ladakh (Sitting of Bench of the High…
